Panel handling device and method

ABSTRACT

A handling device and method for handling generally flat structural panels includes separable connecting means on the device for cooperation with connecting means on the panel inwardly of the panel edges for carrying and manipulating the panel with its flat faces extending generally vertically, and suitable mechanism for rotating the connecting means on the device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby.

United States Patent Kister Dec. 16, 1975 [54] PANEL HANDLING DEVICE AND METHOD 3,422,975 H1969 Crisp 214/147 R Inventor: Ronald R. Kister, 7358 Scenic 3,598,263 8/1971 Ehmke 214/147 R X Drive, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Fil d; A 22 1974 380,022 8/1964 Switzerland 214/651 [21] Appl' 46305o Primary Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Donnelly, Maky, Renner & [52] US. Cl 214/1 H; 214/1 D; 214/1 SW; Otto 214/652 [51] Int. C1. B66C 1/02 [57] ABSTRACT [58] q fif gg; 1 1 A handling device and method for handling generally at structural panels ncludes separable connecting 654, DIG. 1, 147 R, 294/93 means on the devlce for cooperation with connecting means on the panel inwardly of the panel edges for [56] References cued carrying and manipulating the panel with its flat faces UNITED E- PATENTS extending generally vertically, and suitable mechanism 2,807,382 9/1957 Schenkelberger 214/652 for rotating the connecting means on the device about 121358 Pearce 214/1 H a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of 1 59 Steinback 294/93 X 3,118,555 1/1964 Bent et a1. 294/93 X the panel earned thereby. 3,361,280 l/ 1968 Traver 214/1 SW X 15 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I u "Mir rig" I F. 62 I l I I 60 52 50 54 r 44 ECU U.S. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 els in building construction.

Buildings are oftentimes constructed utilizing gener-' ally flat rectangular structural panels of reinforced con- 1 crete which are precast at a factory or other location for delivery to a building site. Heretofore, the transportation and manipulation of such panels at the building site for properly positioning them to form the walls of a building has been very difficult and expensive.

Structural panels of the type described are most commonly handled on a building site by the use of a truck crane having special connecting devices or'a plurality of cables for attachment to such panels. A typical crew for handling such panels in this fashion consists of an operator and oiler for the truck crane, and five or more iron workers who perform such functions as attaching and detaching the panels from the crane, guiding the panels, welding the panels together, and signaling the crane operator. Structural precast panels of the type described may be as large as ten feet by 25 feet and weigh up to 6 tons, and guiding such panels when suspended from a crane cable is very difficult, hazardous and time consuming. Also, suspending such panels from a crane with their flat faces extending generally vertically requires special connecting devices ,for attachment at a plurality of points along the face of the panel to prevent panel breakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The panel handling device of the present invention includes generally horizontally extending separable connecting means for cooperation with connecting means on the panel for carrying and minipulating the panel with its flat faces extending generally vertically. In the preferred arrangement, the separable connecting means comprises a projection on the handling device having a non-circular cross-sectional shape for reception in a similarly shaped hole or socket in the panel.

Suitable mechanism is also provided for rotating the handling device connecting means about its longitudinal axis so that the large rectangular panels, which are normally stored by resting on their long edge, can be picked up and rotated 90 for positioning the panels with their long edges extending vertically.

The coupling means on the handling device is also desirably mounted for limited pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis to assist in properly aligning a new panel with previously positioned panels, and the entire handling device may desirably be tilted about a substantially horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connecting means so that the panel can be tilted with its flat faces inclined slightly to the vertical.

For convenience, the handling device is preferably attached to a vehicle or other carrying device of conventional type having a raisable and lowerable arm on which the connecting means is mounted.

The connecting means on the handling device may include extensible and retractable locking means for releasably locking such connecting means to the connecting means on the panel. I

The device and method of the present invention enables carrying, manipulating and positioning structural panels with a crew of relatively few men. A single op erator is required for the device along with a guide man or helper and a welder to weld the panels together.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide such an improved device and method for handling structural panels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device 0 and method for handling structural panels in a highly efficient manner.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device for handling structural panels which is very economi'cal to manufacture and simple in operation.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the prin ciples of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional construction-type vehicle on which is mounted a preferred-form of handling device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2-is a side elevational view of the improved handling device of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentaryelevational view of a vertically positioned generally flat structural panel.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a wheeled power driven vehicle A in the form of a conventional front end loader having a rigid structural arm 12 pivotally connected thereto at 14 for raising and lowering movement by operation of one or more hydraulic cylinders 15 extending between such arm and vehicle A. Although a conventional front end loader A is briefly shown and will be described for use with the improved panel handling device 10 of the present invention, it will be recognized that other vehicles or stable platforms can be used with the improved handling device Levers 16 are pivoted to arm 12 to 18 and hydraulic cylinders 20 extend between the lower ends of such levers and vehicle A for selectively pivoting such levers about pivots 18. The upper ends'of levers 16 are connected-by rods 22 with additional levers 24 pivoted to arm 12 at 26. The upper ends of levers 24 are connected by rods 28 with the upper ends of rods 30 pivoted to arm 12 at 32. A generally rectangular front plate 34 has rearwardly extending side ears 36 bolted to links '30 as at 38. Selective operation of cylinder 15 will raise and lower arm 12 for in turn raising and lowering front plate 34. Selective operation of cylinders 20 will pivot front plate 34 generally about points 32 for positioning its flat front face vertically or at inclinations on opposite sides of a vertical plane.

For mounting the panel handling device 10 on the plate 34, a rectangular socket member 42 is welded in centrally located position to the front surface of plate 34 with its socket opening inwardly for receiving the lower end portion of a box beam 44 having suitable lat- 3 eral holes therethrough alignable with similar holes in socket member 42 for receiving pins 46 to releasably lock beam 44 in socket 42.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, an elongated bushing 50 is positioned in box beam 44 and welded thereto. A cylindrical shaft 51 has a lower end portion 52 rotatably received in the bushing or sleeve 50 welded inside the box beam 44, and the bottom end of the shaft is tapped for receiving a bolt 54 having a washer 56 thereon to prevent upward vertical displacement of the shaft from bushing 50. Such shaft includes an enlarged diameter upper end portion 60 to provide a stepped shoulder between such upper end portion and lower end portion 52 which bears against the upper end of busing 50. Upper end portion 60 is welded or otherwise secured to a rigid structural box beam 62 having a gear reducer 64 mounted to the top surface thereof. A reversible hydraulic or pneumatic motor 66 is secured to beam 62 as by bracket 68 and has an output sprocket 70 drivingly connected with input sprocket 72 on gear reducer 64 by chain 74. Motor 66 is suitably connected with a selectively operable pump through suitable valves for selectively operating such motor in either of opposite directions.

Gear reducer 64 preferably includes a worm gear and worm wheel drive, with input sprocket 72 driving the worm gear which in turn drives the worm wheel for rotating gear reducer output shaft 80 so that such output shaft is effectively locked in its position when motor 66 is stopped.

Gear reducer output shaft 80 is connected by coupling 82 with hollow shaft 84 supported in pillow block bearing 86 mounted on box beam 62. A flat rectangular metal plate 90 is welded or otherwise centrally secured to the distal end of shaft 84 and has a hollow rectangular box beam 92 welded thereto. Looking from the left end of FIG. 2, box beam 92 has a square cross-sectional shape,although it will be recognized that other non-circular shapes may be used. A pair of pneumatic or hydraulic. cylinders 94 may be oppositely positioned within beam 92 and have their rods 96 extending through suitable holes in the opposite sides of beam 92. The rods 96 are desirably spring biased to extended positions and retraction thereof against the spring biasing force occurs by operation of a valve to open a pressurized pneumatic or hydraulic conduit 102 which is connected with hollow shaft 84 and with cylinders 94. Movement of such valve to an alternate position will open the conduit to reservoir or exahust so that the rods 96 of cylinders 94 will again extend under spring force.

Beam 92 preferably has a smaller cross-sectional peripheral shape than plate 90 and is centrally located thereon so that an outer front surface of plate 90 defines a peripheral back supporting surface around beam 92..

As will be seen as the description proceeds, beam 92 defines a separable connecting means in the form of a projection which cooperates with connecting means in the form of a socket on a structural panel for carrying and manipulating such panel.

A bracket 106 welded or otherwise secured in de- I 4 swing or pivot structural support beam 62 about the axis of shaft 52 which is generally vertical relative to box beam 44.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of a precast concrete panel B in whic his provided a square opening or socket 120 I0- cated-at the'center of gravity of such panel and with the socket axis extending perpendicular to the opposite flat faces of the panel. Flat metal plates 124 are welded to reinforcing rods 122 and to one another to define the square opening 120 which is shaped similarly to proj ection 92 on the panel handling device 10 and has a somewhat larger cross-sectional shape for easy reception of such projection therein.

The distance between the front surface of plate and rods 96 is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of panel B so that projection 92 can be extended through socket with one flat face of such panel around socket 120 therein resting against plate 90 and rods 96 extending outwardly beyond the periphery of socket 120 on the opposite face of panel B. Such rods define a locking means for locking panel B on projection 92 against displacement therefrom.

A typical panel handling operation will be described for purposes of illustration. A plurality of such rectangular. precast structural panels B may be stored at a building site in generally parallel relationship leaning against one another with their side faces inclined to the vertical at a slight angle, for example 20, and with one of their long edges resting on a supporting surface. Vehicle A is driven over to the outermost panel, and the projection 92 of the panel handling device 10 is brought into alignment with hole 120 in the panel. Projection 92 may be raised and lowered by raising and lowering movement of arm 12, inclined upwardly and downwardly by pivotal movement of plate 34 about pivot points 32, and pivoted from side-to-side by selective operation of cylinder 112. Cylinders 94 are energized for retracting rods 96 so that projection 92 will freely fit into opening 120 and extend therethrough. Cylinders 94 are then relieved of pressure so that their springs will extend rods 96 for locking such projection 92 within the socket or opening 120 in the panel. However, it will be recognized that such rods may be received in recesses in the periphery of the socket or other types of locking means may be provided.

With projection 92 positioned within panel socket 120 and rods 96 extended, the operator may raise arm 12 and preferably tilts plate 34 slightly backward s0v that the panel is lifted from the supporting surface with the outer periphery of one panel face around socket 120 resting against plate 90. Vehicle A is then driven to the building site with the panel having its flat faces inclined backwardly from the vertical at a slight angle, for example, between 10 and 20. When it is stated that the panel is carried and manipulated with its flat faces extending generally vertically, it is intended to mean that such flat faces may be slightly inclined to the vertical up to around 20.

Panels B have welding flanges or other connecting devices on the long edges thereof which are to be positioned vertically for interconnecting adjacent panels in forming a wall. The operator of vehicle A transports the panel to the building wall and positions the vehicle A to locate the panel in its proper position. Before the panel is positioned, the operator may selectively operate motor 66 for rotating projection 92 to position the panel with its long edges extending vertically and to level the bottom edge of such panel. The operator will erly positioned, it is welded, braced or otherwise secured in place and the operator of vehicle A manipulates his controls for retracting projection 92 from socket 120 to obtain another panel.

In general, the longitudinal axis of shaft 84 and projection 92 extends generally horizontally although such axis may be slightly inclined by tilting the plate 34 as previously described. It will be recognized that pivots 32 for plate 34 define a pivot axis which extends generally horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of projection 92. The shaft axis about which projection 92 pivots by operation of cylinder 1 12 extends generally vertically and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of projection 92, although it will be recognized that such axis is not vertical when plate 34 is pivoted about pivots, 32 out of its vertical position.

The improved handling device and 'method of the present invention incorporates aconnecting; means in the form of projection 92 for connection to a structural panel with the flat faces of such panel extending generally vertically. The connecting means on the handling device can be rotated about its own axis for reorienting the panel and leveling the bottom edge thereof. The connecting means is also pivotable for manipulating the panel carried thereby about a generally vertical axis extending perpendicular to its own longitudinal axis by operation of cylinder 112, and about a generally horizontal axis defined by pivots 32 extending substantially perpendicular to its own longitudinal axis. The movements described, along with traversing movement of platform or vehicle A, and raising and lowering movement of arm 12, provide substantial universal movement in virtually any direction of a panel carried by the connecting means on the improved handling device.

Vehicle A may be of the type wherein the frame carrying the front wheels thereof pivots about a vertical axis relative to that portion of the frame carrying the rear wheels. This provides translational movement of the panel generally parallel to its flat faces for abutting adjacent panel edges. Obviously, such translational movement can be achieved in other ways as by mounting beam 62 on tracks relative to upper shaft portion 60 and shifting such beam to a limited extent generally parallel to the panel by operation of a fluid motor driven rack and pinion or the like. Obviously, arm 12 may also be articulated for movement of projection 92 toward and away from vehicle A, or a similar trackway to that described may be provided for limited movement of beam 62, and therefore projection 92, outwardly and inwardly relative to arm 12.

Operation of motor 66 rotates projection 92 about its own longitudinal axis 90 or more for uprighting rectangular panels which are initially picked up sideways, and also levels the bottom edge of such panels during placement to form a wall in the event vehicle A or some other support platform is not level. When the panels are initially picked up in their eventual upright position, operation of motor 66 is simply used to slightly rotate projection 92 to level the bottom edges of the panels during placement thereof.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious thatequivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present application includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications, and islimited only by the scope of the claims. v i

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusiveproperty or priveleg e is 'claimed are defined as followsi ll A handling devicefor generally flat structural panels comprising generally horizontally extending separable connecting means on said device for cooperation with connecting means on the panel inwardly of the panel edges for carrying and manipulating the panel with itsflat faces extending generally vertically, and power means for rotating said connecting means on said device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby, said connecting means on said device comprising a projection having a non-circular cross-sectional sh'ape and said connecting means on said panel comprising a similarly shaped socket having its axis extending substantially perpendicular to the flat panel faces for receiving said projection, and laterally extensible and retractable locking means carried by said projection for releasably locking the panel thereto.

2. The device of claim lwherein said locking means comprises a pair of fluid" cylinders oppositely positioned within said projection and having rods extending through holes in opposite sides of said projection.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said rods are spring biased to extended positions and retraction of said rods is obtained by actuation of said fluid cylinders.

4. The device of claim 1 further including means for pivoting said projection about a generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said projection for tilting of said panel, said projection having a plate, at, its inner end of a size larger than the socket in said panel so that when said panel is tilted as aforesaid, one flat face of said panel around said socket will rest against said plate.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the distance between the front surface of said plate and said locking means is slightly greater than the thickness of said panel to permit said locking means to extend radially outwardly beyond the periphery of said socket adjacent the other fiat face of said panel when said one face is resting against said plate as aforesaid to lock said panel on said projection.

6. A handling device for generally fiat structural panels comprising generally horizontally extending separable connecting means on said device for cooperation with connecting means on the panel inwardly of the panel edges for carrying and manipulating the panel with its flat faces extending generally vertically, and power means for rotating said connecting means on said device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby, said connecting means on said device comprising a projection having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and said connecting means on said panel comprising a similarly shaped socket having its axis extending substantially perpendicular to the flat panel faces for receiving said projection, said power means for rotating said connecting means on said device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby 7 comprising a shaft mounted on a box beam for rotation, said projection being connected to one end of said shaft for rotation therewith, and a reversible motor coupled to the other end of said shaft for rotating said shaft in either direction.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising, means for pivoting said box beam about a generally vertical axis.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a cylindrical shaft mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, said box beam being supported by the upper end of said cylindrical shaft for rotation therewith, and cylinder means for rotating said box beam about the axis of said cylindrical shaft.

9. The device of claim 8 further including means for pivoting said box beam about a generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said projection for tilting of said panel.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a plate mounted for pivotal movement about such generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said projection, and another box beam secured to the front surface of said plate, said another box beam having an elongated bushing therein for rotatably receiving the lower end of said cylindrical shaft.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said cylindrical shaft includes an enlarged diameter upper end portion to provide a stepped shoulder which bears against the upper end of said bushing, and a washer secured to the lower end of said cylindrical shaft extending radially I outwardly beyond the lower end of said bushing to retain said cylindrical shaft within said bushing.

12. The device of claim 1 further including a vehicle having a raisable and lowerable rigid arm, said connecting means being mounted on said arm.

13. A method for handling generally flat structural panels utilizing a handling device including a separable connecting device comprising the steps of attaching such separable connecting device to the panel inwardly of the panel edges with the longitudinal axis of the connecting device extending generally horizontally and generally perpendicular to the flat faces of the panel for carrying and mainipulating the panel with the flat faces thereof extending generally vertically, lifting the connecting device to clear the panel of any obstructions, and rotating the connecting device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby, such connecting device comprising a projection having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and laterally extensible and retractable locking means for releasably locking the panel thereto, such attaching step being carried out by positioning the projection in a similarly shaped but somewhat larger socket in the panel and extending the locking means to releasably lock the panel on the projection.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of pivoting the projection about a generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projection for tilting of the panel, such projection having a plate at the inner end of a size larger than the socket in the panel so that when the panel is tilted as aforesaid, one flat face of the panel around the socket will rest against the plate.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the distance between the front surface of the plate and the locking means is slightly greater than the thickness of the panel to permit the locking means to extend radially outwardly beyond the periphery of the socket adjacent the other flat face of the panel when one face of the panel is resting against the plate as aforesaid to lock the panel on the projection. 

1. A handling device for generally flat structural panels comprising generally horizontally extending separable connecting means on said device for cooperation with connecting means on the panel inwardly of the panel edges for carrying and manipulating the panel with its flat faces extending generally vertically, and power means for rotating said connecting means on said device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby, said connecting means on said device comprising a projection having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and said connecting means on said panel comprising a similarly shaped socket having its axis extending substantially perpendicular to the flat panel faces for receiving said projection, and laterally extensible and retractable locking means carried by said projection for releasably locking the panel thereto.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of fluid cylinders oppositely positioned within said projection and having rods extendIng through holes in opposite sides of said projection.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said rods are spring biased to extended positions and retraction of said rods is obtained by actuation of said fluid cylinders.
 4. The device of claim 1 further including means for pivoting said projection about a generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said projection for tilting of said panel, said projection having a plate at its inner end of a size larger than the socket in said panel so that when said panel is tilted as aforesaid, one flat face of said panel around said socket will rest against said plate.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the distance between the front surface of said plate and said locking means is slightly greater than the thickness of said panel to permit said locking means to extend radially outwardly beyond the periphery of said socket adjacent the other flat face of said panel when said one face is resting against said plate as aforesaid to lock said panel on said projection.
 6. A handling device for generally flat structural panels comprising generally horizontally extending separable connecting means on said device for cooperation with connecting means on the panel inwardly of the panel edges for carrying and manipulating the panel with its flat faces extending generally vertically, and power means for rotating said connecting means on said device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby, said connecting means on said device comprising a projection having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and said connecting means on said panel comprising a similarly shaped socket having its axis extending substantially perpendicular to the flat panel faces for receiving said projection, said power means for rotating said connecting means on said device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby comprising a shaft mounted on a box beam for rotation, said projection being connected to one end of said shaft for rotation therewith, and a reversible motor coupled to the other end of said shaft for rotating said shaft in either direction.
 7. The device of claim 6 further comprising means for pivoting said box beam about a generally vertical axis.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a cylindrical shaft mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, said box beam being supported by the upper end of said cylindrical shaft for rotation therewith, and cylinder means for rotating said box beam about the axis of said cylindrical shaft.
 9. The device of claim 8 further including means for pivoting said box beam about a generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said projection for tilting of said panel.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a plate mounted for pivotal movement about such generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said projection, and another box beam secured to the front surface of said plate, said another box beam having an elongated bushing therein for rotatably receiving the lower end of said cylindrical shaft.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said cylindrical shaft includes an enlarged diameter upper end portion to provide a stepped shoulder which bears against the upper end of said bushing, and a washer secured to the lower end of said cylindrical shaft extending radially outwardly beyond the lower end of said bushing to retain said cylindrical shaft within said bushing.
 12. The device of claim 1 further including a vehicle having a raisable and lowerable rigid arm, said connecting means being mounted on said arm.
 13. A method for handling generally flat structural panels utilizing a handling device including a separable connecting device comprising the steps of attaching such separable connecting device to the panel inwArdly of the panel edges with the longitudinal axis of the connecting device extending generally horizontally and generally perpendicular to the flat faces of the panel for carrying and mainipulating the panel with the flat faces thereof extending generally vertically, lifting the connecting device to clear the panel of any obstructions, and rotating the connecting device about a generally horizontal axis for proper orientation of the panel carried thereby, such connecting device comprising a projection having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and laterally extensible and retractable locking means for releasably locking the panel thereto, such attaching step being carried out by positioning the projection in a similarly shaped but somewhat larger socket in the panel and extending the locking means to releasably lock the panel on the projection.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of pivoting the projection about a generally horizontal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projection for tilting of the panel, such projection having a plate at the inner end of a size larger than the socket in the panel so that when the panel is tilted as aforesaid, one flat face of the panel around the socket will rest against the plate.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the distance between the front surface of the plate and the locking means is slightly greater than the thickness of the panel to permit the locking means to extend radially outwardly beyond the periphery of the socket adjacent the other flat face of the panel when one face of the panel is resting against the plate as aforesaid to lock the panel on the projection. 